TAKE ACTION: Tell your State Senator in Olympia to pass Paid Sick Leave

Posted by Paul Zilly634sc on January 24, 2014

You shouldn’t have to choose between your health and your job. It seems straightforward enough, but every day workers in restaurants, child care centers, grocery stores, and offices across our state are faced with that very decision.

On Wednesday, January 29 the Washington State House of Representatives passed a bill (HB 1313) that would enable workers the right to earn paid sick leave. This is great news for workers, but now the bill heads to the State Senate, where it faces stern opposition from legislators who want to deprive workers of this basic right.

Hundreds of thousands of workers in our state currently don't have the right to earn paid sick days. That means they have to choose between going to work sick or not getting paid. It means they have to lose a day's pay when they stay home to care for a sick child. Many workers are simply fired when they call in sick.

A widespread lack of paid sick leave poses public health risks;

Paid sick leave helps protect the victims of domestic violence;

Paid sick leave contributes to a strong economy;

Employers' experience with paid sick leave is generally positive.

TAKE ACTION NOW!Call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and tell your State Senator in Olympia to pass Paid Sick Leave legislation! Everyone deserves the right to earn paid sick leave!